UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549





FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)


x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934





For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010





OR





 ̈
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934





For the transition period from ________ to _________





Commission file number 000-49636





VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





Delaware

86-0913802(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)





134 Flanders Road, Westborough, MA 01581


(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)





(508) 366-3668


(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   YES xNO  ̈





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   YES  ̈NO o





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.





Large accelerated filer    ̈
Accelerated filer    ̈Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) ̈
Smaller reporting company   x





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   YES  ̈NO x





The registrant had 50,554,815 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding as of April 30, 2010.













FORM 10-Q





FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES


VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.





For the Quarter ended March 31, 2010





PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION





Form 10-QItem 1.
Financial Statements (unaudited):Balance Sheets at  March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009
2Statements of Operations for the Three  Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
3Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
4Notes to Financial Statements
5-8Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
9-12Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
13Item 4T.
Controls and Procedures
13





PART II - OTHER INFORMATION





Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
14Item 1A.
Risk Factors
14Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
14Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
14Item 4.
[Reserved]
14Item 5.
Other Information
14Item 6.
Exhibits
15

















PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION





ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.


Balance Sheets




Assets

March 31,


December 31,2010


2009(Unaudited)Current assets:Cash and cash equivalents

$
309,770


$
721,121Accounts receivable, net


850,840



455,488Inventories


1,605,964



1,537,851Prepaid expenses and other current assets


97,081



67,103Total current assets


2,863,655



2,781,563Property and equipment, net


36,923



31,101Intangible assets, net


122,500



140,000Total assets

$
3,023,078


$
2,952,664Liabilities and Stockholders' EquityCurrent liabilities:Accounts payable

$
1,246,220


$
919,807Accrued expenses


792,344



770,136Deferred revenue


136,660



359,027Total current liabilities


2,175,224



2,048,970Commitments and contingenciesStockholders’ Equity:Preferred Stock, 25,000,000 shares authorized; No shares outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009Common stock, $0.001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized; and 46,188,461 and 45,356,765  issued and outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively


46,188



45,356Additional paid-in capital


27,395,094



27,156,316Accumulated deficit


(26,593,428
)


(26,297,978
)Total stockholders' equity


847,854



903,694Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$
3,023,078


$
2,952,664











The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim financial statements.




2




VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.


Statements of Operations – Unaudited





Three Months Ended

March 31,2010


2009Sales, net

$
1,915,073


$
1,521,228Cost of sales


1,414,139



1,153,026Gross profit


500,934



368,202Operating expenses:Selling and marketing


206,603



256,070Research and development


206,781



153,165General and administrative


383,036



366,314Total operating expenses


796,420



775,549Operating loss


(295,486
)


(407,347
)Other income :Interest income


213



510Interest expense


(177
)


(735
)License fee


-



115,000Other income


-



2,060Total other income


36



116,835Net loss applicable to common shareholders

$
(295,450
)

$
(290,512
)Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

$
(0.01
)

$
(0.01
)Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted


45,885,351



42,715,110








The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim financial statements.






3





VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.


Statements of Cash Flows – Unaudited








Three Months Ended

March 31,2010


2009Cash flows from operating activities:Net loss

$
(295,450
)

$
(290,512
)Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:Depreciation and amortization


30,517



91,494Stock based compensation expense


95,610



117,761Changes in operating assets and liabilities:Accounts receivable


(395,353
)


122,142Inventories, net


(68,113
)


260,794Prepaid expenses and other current assets


926



125,313Accounts payable


326,413



(150,043
)Accrued expenses


22,208



(35,701
)Deferred revenue


(222,367
)


46,989Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities


(505,609
)


288,237Cash flows from investing activities:Purchase of property and equipment


(18,839
)


-Net cash used in investing activities


(18,839
)


-


Cash flows from financing activities:Net proceeds from warrant exercise


144,000



-Proceeds from issuance of common stock


6,106



-Stock issuance costs


(37,009)



-Repayment of capital lease obligations


-



(10,818
)Net cash  provided by (used in) financing activities


113,097



(10,818
)Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents


(411,351
)


277,419Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


721,121



168,767Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$
309,770


$
446,186Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:Cash paid during the period for:






-Interest

$
177


$
735Income taxes

$
-


$
-








The accompanying notes are an integral part of the interim financial statements.




4





1.
INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of Viking Systems, Inc. (“Viking” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management,  the interim financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to make the financial statements presented not misleading. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 was derived from the Company's audited financial statements. The financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2009, included in Viking's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,  which was filed on February 22, 2010 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The results of operations and cash flows for the three month period ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.





For comparability, certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.





2.
LIQUIDITY





The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010 the Company recorded a net loss of $295,450 and cash used in operating activities was $505,609. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company  recorded a net loss of $1,074,319.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company had $309,770 of cash and cash equivalents and a net working capital balance of $688,431.





Management believes that the Company’s existing cash resources, combined with projected cash flows from operations are not likely to be sufficient to execute its business plan and continue operations for the next twelve months.  Management has taken steps to increase certain of the Company’s operating expenses in 2010 as it believes that such increases are necessary for the Company to achieve profitability and positive cash flow in the future. As discussed in Note 6, in January 2010, the Company entered into an Investment Agreement that requires  the investor to purchase from the Company, with limited exceptions, from time to time, up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock over the course of thirty-six months.  The Company may draw on the facility from time to time, as and when it determines appropriate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment Agreement. While the Company continues to pursue other sources of capital, depending upon the market price of its stock, it anticipates utilizing a total of $2 million to $3 million of the Investment Agreement to fund the development and launch of  the Company’s “Next Generation” 3DHD system, anticipated 2010 operating losses and working capital needs. Through April 2010 the Company has sold a total of 4,398,050 shares under the Investment Agreement for total proceeds of $934,897.




Other than the Investment Agreement, the Company does not have any arrangements with any bank, financial institutions or investors to provide additional financing and there can be no assurance that any such arrangement, if required or otherwise sought, would be available on terms deemed to be commercially acceptable and in our best interests. If the Company is not able to draw sufficient amounts on the Investment Agreement, or it fails to secure other financing and it is not generating positive cash flow, it may be forced to significantly reduce planned expenditures or consider other options. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.









5





3.
LOSS PER SHARE





The computation of basic and diluted loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.





Due to the net losses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, potentially dilutive securities have been excluded in the calculation of diluted loss per share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per share are the same within each respective period.





The following potentially dilutive common shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect was antidilutive for the periods presented:





March 31,

2010


March 31,

2009Warrants


23,606,170



27,985,020Stock Options


8,375,420



6,354,440Total


31,981,590



34,339,460





4.
INVENTORY





Details of our inventory account balances are as follows:





March 31,

2010


December 31,

2009Inventories:Parts and supplies

$
966,720


$
970,662Work-in-progress


558,346



325,136Finished goods


449,223



692,068Valuation allowance


(368,325
)


(450,015
)$
1,605,964


$
1,537,851





5.
ACCRUED LIABILITIES





Accrued liabilities consist of the following:





March 31,

2010


December 31,

2009Employee and director compensation

$
485,633


$
421,247Registration delay fees


161,574



161,574Professional and consulting fees


56,970



87,427Other accrued expenses


88,167



99,888$
792,344


$
770,136





6.
INVESTMENT AGREEMENT





On January 7,  2010, the Company, entered into an investment agreement with Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, LP (the “Investment Agreement”).  Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, the Dutchess committed to purchase up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock over thirty-six months.





The Company may draw on the facility from time to time, as and when it determines appropriate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment Agreement.  The purchase price shall be set at 96% of the lowest daily volume weighted average  price (VWAP) of the Company’s common stock during the 5 consecutive trading day period beginning on the trading day immediately following the date of delivery of the applicable put notice.  The amount that the Company is entitled to put in any one notice shall be any amount up to the greater of 1) 200% of the average daily volume of the common stock for the 3 trading days prior to the applicable put notice date, multiplied by the average of the 3 daily closing prices immediately preceding the date of the put or 2) $100,000.   Dutchess will not be obligated to purchase shares if their total number of shares beneficially held at that time would exceed 4.99% of the number of shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  In addition, the Company was not permitted to draw on the facility until there was an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the shares.




6




Pursuant to the terms of a Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Dutchess, the Company was obligated to file a registration statement with the SEC to register the resale by the Investor of 15,000,000 shares of the common stock underlying the Investment Agreement on or before 21 calendar days of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement.  The Company filed the required registration statement and it was declared effective on February 12, 2010.





During the three months ended March 31, 2010 the Company sold 31,696 shares under this Investment Agreement and received proceeds of $6,106.  Direct incremental costs of $51,599 were incurred associated with establishing the Investment Agreement and have been recorded in other assets. Stock issuance costs equal to the proceeds received of $6,106 were recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital during the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  The remaining $45,493 will be charged to additional paid-in capital when additional shares are sold and proceeds received under the Investment Agreement.





In April 2010, the Company sold an additional 4,366,354 shares under the Investment Agreement for proceeds totaling $928,791.





7.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION





Common Stock Options





During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, shareholders approved  the Viking Systems, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Equity Plan”), and the Viking Systems, Inc. 2008 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan,” ). In December 2009, the board of directors approved an amendment to the 2008 Equity plan to increase the number of shares available under such plan by 2,800,000 shares.  The maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the 2008 Equity Plan is 9,520,000 shares plus such number of shares that are issuable pursuant to awards outstanding under the 2004 Plan as of the effective date and which would have otherwise reverted to the share reserve of the 2004 Plan. The Company has reserved a total of 1,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the Directors’ Plan.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, 1,250,000 options were granted under the 2008 Equity Plan and no options were granted under the Directors’ Plan.   At March 31, 2010, 1,435,000 shares remain available for grant under the 2008 Equity Plan and 1,275,000 shares remain available under the Directors’ Plan.





The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award - the requisite service period. The Company determines the grant-date fair value of employee share options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.





During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $95,610 and $117,761 respectively, in non-cash stock-based compensation expense. As of March 31, 2010, there was approximately $727,885 in total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3 years.





During the three months ended March 31, 2010, 1,250,000 stock options were granted with a weighted average exercise price of $0.25 per share based on the quoted market price on the day of grant. The valuation of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2010 as determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model was approximately $265,000. The fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2010 was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions: volatility of 230%, expected life of 7 years, risk-free interest rate of 3.3%, and expected dividend yield of 0%. Volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock. The expected life of employee stock options is based on the average of the vesting period and contractual life. The risk free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate for the expected life of the stock option.




The following table summarizes the stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2010:





Number of

Shares


Weighted - Average

Exercise

Price


Weighted -Average Remaining

Contractual

Life

(in years)Options outstanding December 31, 2009


7,125,420


$
0.41



8.75Granted


1,250,000


$
0.25



9.8Cancelled or expired


-


$Options outstanding March 31, 2010


8,375,420


$
0.39



8.69Options exercisable at March 31, 2010


2,734,324


$
.88



7.81






7





8.
WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK





The following table summarizes warrant activity during the three months ended March 31, 2010:





Shares


Range of

Exercise

Price


Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price


Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life (yrs)Warrants outstanding December 31, 2009


24,406,170


$
0.18-0.75


$
0.18



3.0Expired


-






$Exercised


(800,000
)

$
0.18Outstanding March 31, 2010


23,606,170


$
0.18-0.75


$
0.18



2.75





9.
LEASE COMMITMENT





Viking leases its Westborough, MA facility under a non-cancelable operating lease agreement. The lease was scheduled to expire September 30, 2010.  In March 2010 the lease was extended for five years through September 30, 2015.  Future minimum lease payments April 2010 through September 2015 are as follows:




Period

Amount2010

$
184,3762011


246,9462012


250,2802013


251,4452014


254,9402015


191,205Total

$
1,379,192




10.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS





With the exception of those discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared with the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, that are of significance, or potential significance to the Company.





New Accounting Pronouncements





In September 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU. 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 updates the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance currently included under ASC 605-25 (formerly EITF 00-21), and primarily provides two significant changes: 1) eliminates the need for objective and reliable evidence of the fair value for the undelivered element in order for a delivered item to be treated as a separate unit of accounting, and 2) eliminates the residual method to allocate the arrangement consideration. In addition, this guidance expands the disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. ASU 2009-13 will be effective for the first annual reporting period beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted provided that the revised guidance is retroactively applied to the beginning of the year of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this new accounting update to its financial statements.




8




ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS





Forward Looking Statements





This interim report on Form 10-Q contains and incorporates by reference certain “forward-looking statements” with respect to results of our operations and businesses. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report on Form 10-Q, including those regarding market trends, our financial position, business strategy, projected costs, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In general, such statements are identified by the use of forward- looking words or phrases including, but not limited to, “intended,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “expects,” “expected,” “anticipates,” and “anticipated” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and our actual results could differ materially. These forward-looking statements represent our judgment as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We disclaim, however, any intent or obligation to update our forward-looking statements, except as required by law.





The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and Notes thereto, and other financial information included elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.





Overview





We are a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of visualization solutions for complex minimally invasive surgery.  We partner with medical device companies and healthcare facilities to provide surgeons with proprietary visualization systems enabling minimally invasive surgical procedures, which reduce patient trauma and recovery time.





We manufacture two dimensional or 2D, digital cameras that are sold to third-party companies who sell to end users through their Original Design Manufacturer, or ODM, programs and Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM, programs.





We sell our proprietary visualization system, or our 3Di Vision System, under the Viking brand directly to hospitals and outpatient surgical centers in the United States and outside the United States through our distributor network.





Liquidity and Capital Resources





We have financed our operations since inception principally through private sales of equity securities and convertible debt. From January 1, 2004 through March 31, 2010, we raised net proceeds of $10,750,000 through the sale of common and preferred stock in private placements and approximately $13,600,000 through the issuance of convertible notes and debentures. As of March 31, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $309,770.





Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $505,609.  Net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $288,237. This change in cash flows from operating activities was attributable primarily to net cash consumed by the increases in accounts receivable and inventory, and a decrease in deferred revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with net cash generation during 2009 from the combined changes in inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and deferred revenue.





We believe that it is likely that we will need to raise additional capital to execute our business plan and continue our operations for the next twelve months. In January 2010, we entered into the Investment Agreement, with Dutchess Opportunity Fund II, or Dutchess, that provides that Dutchess is committed to purchase from us, from time to time, up to $5,000,000 of our common stock over the course of thirty-six months.  We may draw on the facility from time to time, as and when we determine appropriate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment Agreement. While we continue to pursue other sources of capital, depending upon the market price of our stock, we anticipate utilizing $2 million to $3 million of the Investment Agreement to fund the development and launch of our “Next Generation” 3DHD system, anticipated 2010 operating losses and working capital needs.  Through April 30, 2010 we have sold a total of 4,398,050 shares under the Investment Agreement for total proceeds of $934,897





Other than the Investment Agreement, we do not have any arrangements with any bank, financial institutions or investors to provide additional financing and there can be no assurance that any such arrangement, if required or otherwise sought, would be available on terms deemed to be commercially acceptable and in our best interests. If we are not able to draw on the Investment Agreement, or we fail to secure other financing and we are not generating positive cash flow, we will consider other options, including curtailing operations.




9





RESULTS OF OPERATIONS





Sales. We had sales of $1,915,073 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $1,521,228 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, representing an increase of approximately 26%.  The increase in sales during 2010 was primarily due to increased sales of our OEM products.





Sales to individual customers exceeding 10% or more of sales in the three months ended March 31, 2010 were to three customers who accounted for 37%, 24% and 17% of sales, respectively.  Sales to individual customers exceeding 10% or more of revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2009 were to three customers who accounted for 25%, 20% and 16% of revenues, respectively.





Gross Profit. Gross profit increased 36% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared with the same period in 2009.For the three months ended March 31, 2010, gross profit amounted to $500,934, or 26% of revenue compared with $368,202, or 24% of revenue, for the same period in 2009.   The increase in gross margin percentage for 2010 is due to a favorable sales mix of higher margin products as well as higher production volumes resulting in lower per unit manufacturing costs.





Operating Expenses.  We incurred total operating expenses of $796,420, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with $775,549 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense, total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $708,563 and $663,881, respectively. This represents an increase of $44,682, or 7%, in operating expenses.  This increase in total operating expenses is primarily due to increased research and development related expenses.





Selling and Marketing Expense. Selling and marketing expenses were $206,603 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $256,070 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  This represents a decrease of $49,467 or 19%.  This decrease is primarily due to lower depreciation expense related to demonstration equipment as such equipment became fully depreciated during 2009.





Research and Development Expense.  We had research and development expenses of $206,781 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $153,165 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, representing an increase of $53,616 or 35%.  The increase in research and development expense occurred primarily due to the development costs associated with our next generation 3D visualization system including the hiring of a Vice President of Research and Development in January 2010.





General and Administrative Expense.  General and administrative expenses include costs for administrative personnel, legal and accounting expenses and various public company expenses. General and administrative expenses were $383,036 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $366,314 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, representing an increase of $16,722 or 5%.  This increase was primarily due to increased public company and legal costs.  The increase in legal costs included costs associated with filing new patent applications.





Other Income and Expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, other income and expense totaled to income of $36 compared with income of $116,835 for the same period in 2009.  During the three months ended March 31, 2009 we recorded $115,000 of license fee income related to the granting of a license to use one of our patents in the nonmedical markets.  No such income was recorded in the first quarter of 2010.











10





Operating Loss Before Non-Cash Charges





Management assesses operational performance and improvement by measuring and reporting the Company’s operating loss before noncash charges. Management believes this non-GAAP metric is useful in understanding the Company’s ability to generate cash, before consideration of working capital or capital expenditure needs.





A reconciliation of net loss in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) to the non-GAAP measure of operating loss before non-cash charges is as follows:





Three Months Ended

March 312010


2009Net loss, as reported

$
(295,450
)

$
(290,512
)Adjustments:Total other (income)/expense


(36
)


(116,835
)Operating loss, as reported


(295,486
)


(407,347
)Non-cash stock option expense


95,610



117,161Depreciation, amortization and other non cash charges


30,517



91,494Operating loss before non-cash charges

$
(169,359
)

$
(198,692
)





Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements





We do not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements or relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as special purpose entities, which are typically established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.





Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies





This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.





The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions, including those related to inventory, income taxes, long lived asset valuation, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation and derivative liabilities. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience of operations and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.





Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, will affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Financial Statements.





Inventories.Parts and supplies inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the standard cost method which approximates actual cost. Work-in-process and finished goods are stated at the lower of the accumulated manufacturing costs or market.We reduce the stated value of our inventory for obsolescence or impairment in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated market value, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional reductions in stated value may be required.





Income Taxes.In determining the carrying value of our net deferred tax assets, we must assess the likelihood of sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions, based on estimates and assumptions, to realize the benefit of these assets. If these estimates and assumptions change in the future, we may record a reduction in the valuation allowance, resulting in an income tax benefit in our Statements of Operations. Management evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets and assesses the valuation allowance quarterly.







11





We are primarily subject to U.S. federal and state income tax. Tax years subsequent to December 31, 2004 remain open to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities. In addition, our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2010, we had no accruals for interest or penalties related to income tax matters.





Impairment of Long Lived Assets and Intangible Assets with Finite Lives.Property and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight line method over their estimated useful lives.  These assets are assessed for potential impairment when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Conditions that would indicate impairment and trigger an assessment include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in the legal factors or business climate that could affect the value of an asset, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator or a current expectation that, more likely than not,a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. If, upon assessment, the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value of the asset





Revenue Recognition. Our revenues are derived from the sale of surgical visualization technology products to end users, distributors and original equipment manufacturers. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been shipped, the selling price is fixed or determinable,  collection is reasonably assured and when both title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, provided that no significant obligations remain. If installation is included as part of the contract, revenue is not recognized until installation has occurred, or until any remaining installation obligation is deemed to be perfunctory. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.





For the sale of products and services as part of a multiple-element arrangement, we allocate revenue from multiple-element arrangements to the elements based on the relative fair value of each element. For sales of extended warranties with a separate contract price, Viking defers revenue equal to the separately stated price. Revenue associated with undelivered elements is deferred and recorded when delivery occurs.





Stock Based Compensation. The measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards to employees and directors is based on estimated fair values. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of its stock options at the date of grant. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions to calculate the value of stock options. The Company uses historical data among other information to estimate the expected price volatility, the expected annual dividend, the expected option life and the expected forfeiture rate.















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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK





As a Smaller Reporting Company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, we are electing scaled disclosure reporting obligations and therefore are not required to provide the information requested by this Item.





ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES





Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls





We seek to improve and strengthen our control processes to ensure that all of our controls and procedures are adequate and effective. We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met. In reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. In addition, the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. No evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company will be detected.  As set forth below, our Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, that our disclosure controls and procedures were sufficiently effective to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of our disclosure control system were met.





Evaluation of Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures





Our management evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010 are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) are accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management. Our disclosure controls and procedures include components of our internal control over financial reporting. Management's assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is expressed at the level of reasonable assurance that the control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be met.





Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting





There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the last quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.











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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION





ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.





From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. We are currently not aware of, nor do we have any knowledge of, any such legal proceedings or claims against us or our officer and directors in their capacity as such that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition or operating results.





ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.





As a Smaller Reporting Company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, we are electing scaled disclosure reporting obligations and therefore are not required to provide the information requested by this Item.





ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.





During the quarter ended March 31, 2010 we sold 31,696 shares under the Investment Agreement and received proceeds of $6,106.





ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.





As of March 31, 2010, we are not in default with respect to any indebtedness.





ITEM 4. [RESERVED]





ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.





None.











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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS





ExhibitNumber
Exhibit3.1
Certificate of Incorporation dated June 8, 2006 (included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference).3.2
Bylaws (included as Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference).4.1
Certificate of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B Variable Dividend Convertible Preferred Stock (included as Exhibit 4.01 to the Form 8-K filed May 25, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).10.1
Stock Incentive Plan, dated March 31, 2004 (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed April 1, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).10.2
2004 Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan dated December 29, 2005 (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed April 1, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).10.3
Executive Change of Control Agreements between the Company and John Kennedy, and the Company and Robert Mathews dated August 6, 2008 (included as exhibits 99.2 and 99.3 to the Form 8-K filed August 11, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).10.4
Lease between the Company and Robert F. Tambone as Trustee of MAT Realty Trust, dated September 23, 2004 (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed October 1, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).10.5
First Amendment to Lease between the Company and Robert F. Tambone as Trustee of MAT Realty Trust, dated February 5, 2007 (included as exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).10.6
Recapitalization Agreement between the Company and Securityholders, dated December 31, 2007 (included as exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K filed January 7, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).10.7
Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and various investors, dated January 4, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K filed January 7, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).10.8
Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and William C. Bopp, dated January 4, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.3 to the Form 8-K filed January 7, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).10.9
Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and William C. Bopp, dated February 27, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K filed February 29, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).10.10
Investment Agreement by and between Viking Systems, Inc. and Dutchess Opportunity Fund, II, LP, dated January 7, 2010 (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed January 7, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).10.11
Registration Rights Agreement by and between Viking Systems, Inc. and Dutchess Opportunity Fund, II, LP, dated January 7, 2010 (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed January 7, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).10.12
Viking Systems, Inc.’s Amended 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form S-8 filed January 15, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).10.13
Viking Systems, Inc.’s 2008 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Form S-8 filed May 14, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).10.14
Second Amendment to Lease between the Company and the Baltic Group, LLC, dated March 8, 201031.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 200231.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200232.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200232.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002








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SIGNATURE





Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





Dated: May 5 , 2010
VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.By:
/s/ John KennedyChief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)By:
/s/ Robert MathewsExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

























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